Pubdate: Thu, 11 Jul 2002
Source: Honolulu Star-Bulletin (HI)
Contact:  2002 Honolulu Star-Bulletin
Website: http://www.starbulletin.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/196
Author: Danny Harkins
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v02/n1194/a08.html
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

U.S. ISN'T ALONE IN LOSING WAR ON DRUGS

Cynthia Tucker's column on drugs ("U.S. should quietly end war on drugs,"
Star-Bulletin, June 28) is the best article I have read since arriving in
Honolulu. I am visiting your beautiful island from Glasgow, Scotland. In my
city and every other city in the United Kingdom, drugs are freely available.
The police simply don't have the resources to combat drugs. It is a war that
can never be won, being fought on the drug dealers' terms.

What America does, the U.K. tends to follow. Is there an American politician
with the courage and vision to legalize drugs? The illegal-drug market is
worth billions of dollars to criminals. What would it be worth to
governments if it was heavily taxed (not unlike alcohol and cigarettes)?

If drugs were legalized, it would mean more control, less drug-related
violent crime and proper funds for drug-awareness programs. Of equal
importance: More money would be available to address the social issues that
lead too many people taking drugs in the first place. Morality is important,
but sometimes common sense must take precedence.

On a lighter note, does anyone know a pub in Honolulu where a guy can get a
decent pint of Guinness? It's too long a swim back to my local in Scotland.

Danny Harkins

Visitor from Glasgow, Scotland
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